You guys are so awesome....you know how to make a girl feel good!  Thank you so much for your compliments on my new skirt! You know how it is, when a lady wears something new, it's a big deal, and you want to know that it "works." or that you can work it...know what I mean?

Sometimes life is just crazy. Busy. (and of course, you wonder then why on earth I would decide to sew a skirt before work one day last week?)   Work has been overwhelmingly fast paced in the past few weeks. This is a good thing, if you are in ministry, but I also am having to work part of the day on Sundays. That will continue for the next several week, through the middle of November. Like I said, that's a good thing, but I'm always amazed at how just a few hours a week can change your whole routine...of relaxation, blog reading, getting groceries, making phonecalls... My free time has been precious to me, and I find that I am a bit particular in the way that I spend it. A few hours bike riding with my husband, or just porch sitting  seems more important to me that a trip to the market.

Additionally,  my new computer has not arrived. I've been using my husband's laptop, so that feels a little weird to me....throws off my whole balance, I guess.

Speaking of balance. I want it. And I know I need it. For two years, one of the biggest areas of neglect for me has been with my physical self . With mounting back issues, and rising cholesterol, I knew that I needed to find that time and space to get moving again.  Several weeks ago, I found the time...5:45 am. I joined a local gym and I'm there.  And this has probably been the worst mental and physical battle that I have had in recent history. I know, it doesn't seem like the worst mental and physical battle  that a person could have, and I recognize that our battles often are a result of some pretty tragic circumstances. But the battle of the mind and the will is one that we all share....one that transcends age, sex, social class and knitting ability....it gets to the physical, sexual, emotional and spiritual parts of us.  Discipline is not just about going to the gym four days a week. It's bigger than that. We all have those conversations on our minds; we fight discouragement and doubt, whether it's to get up in the morning to walk three miles or to just get up.

I'm trying. I figure if I can win this fight, I can win the others that will no doubt come, and will be bigger.

Comments

[Sharon]

Lynne, I have only met you in person twice. So while first impressions have certainly been positive, they are....really...only impressions. You come across as strong and competent. (And a lot of other qualities, but they aren't as pertinent to this comment.) On your blog, you demonstrate commitment, perseverance, dedication, and again...strength and competence. If you are making it to the gym at 5:45AM regularly, and you continue to do that, you will have proven beyond any doubt that you are exactly what your first impressions indicated. You just go, girl! I am awed.

[patti]

You know that I started working out this past February. I could barely do 2 minutes on the elliptical. Now I am running 20 miles. But I still battle that will inside of me. When I am out running and I find myself thinking "This is so hard. I can't catch my breath. My hip hurts. I should walk." I thin even the pros have this battle with themselves. The important thing, is to be stronger than that little part in your mind that says you can't. I think you know who it is that puts that idea into your mind, too!

[Laura]

Confessing the battle may make it easier for you (accountability is always good, no matter how painful the process) but it also means it's an encouragement and inspiration to others. Translated: I've been fighting this battle for awhile and not winning. Your testimony is proof that winning is possible, and winning is a process. It must be done every day. Sounds like it could be relevant to a lot of things, doesn't it?

[lynda]

Good for you! Persevere!!

[Marcia Cooke]

I've been battling the high cholesterol thing for several years now and because my overall ratio of good to bad is still acceptable, no drugs....which is fine by me! Instead, my doctor suggested some things that might help lower it, such as eating a handful of walnuts every day, using flax seed and flax seed oil, and substituting Smart Balance for butter. All easy. Smart Balance also has peanut butter and cooking oil, all with high amounts of Omega 3's and 6's. Without doing anything else (including, cough, much exercise) my cholesterol has dropped 25 points. Now I've discovered Promise "Shots" that are 3 oz yogurt drinks chock full of plant sterols that are "proven" to lower cholesterol by removing it from the bloodstream. Worth a try, no?

[Sherri]

Oh gosh, you sound so much like me and what I've been going throug in different ways and yet much the same. You're on a good track, keep moving forward and looking up. :)

[Mary]

Wish I was nearer to spur you on - or at least be out in your driveway waiting for the lights to come on to go walking - I fondly remember those days and especially the meaningful conversations. I wish you well with your newest venture. BTW - LOVE the skirt - looks great on you!

[keri]

Great job and good luck fighting that battle each and every day, you can do it! =)

[Susie]

I can't believe that you can make your body work at that time of morning. I simply can't work out until about 10am. Blessings, m'dear. With that kind of will, you'll make it all the way to healthy.

So. Would you like to talk about it a little more? You've been tagged. Click the URL link for more info.

Back to lurking~

[Heidi]

Good for you. But 5:45? Ouch!

[Katie]

You can do it! I tried for a short season to get up at 5:45 and ride my bike, but it wasn't for me. I actually got nauseated trying to get moving that early in the morning. I found I was much more likely to keep up with workouts if I scheduled them right after work, or maybe at lunchtime (except I refused to take a shower in the locker room at work with naked coworkers around me--too weird!). Anyway, I ended up being a big-time jazzercise person for a few years, going three nights a week at 6 PM. Then I got pregnant and quit work to stay at home, so now I just push the stroller (and kid/s) around the neighborhood a couple of mornings a week. But my point is, keep trying until you find the right fit for you. If the AM is just not working, then try after work or lunchtime. You'll find a time that seems like less of a struggle and working out will become fun!

[Beth]

Congratulations on starting a workout schedule! I know what you're going through. I decided just the other day that I'm tired of not having as much energy, feeling stiff when I get up, etc. Part of it might be growing older, but part of it is lack of physical fitness.

And you are right that discipline issues show up in more than just not exercising. The "battle of the mind and will" is constant. I hope that as we win each little fight, the overall battle will become easier.

[Jules]

I hope your commitment will spur me on, Lord knows I need it.:) Good luck to you! And I HATE when life gets so busy there's unrest within ourselves. Hope it settles down soon for ya.

[Sue]

Good for you, Lynne! With my children getting older and the addition of one more teenager in our lives for the next 9 months, it’s increasingly harder for me to find time in the evenings to do any exercise, without me feeling that I am not doing the 800 other things that need to be done in the evenings such as helping with homework, just being “present” to ask/answer questions, listen to the kids talk about their days, etc. I am always saying that I need to exercise in the morning so it’s out of the way – I know I would feel so much better, physically and emotionally (not to mention spiritually). Thank you for the push – tomorrow is the beginning of a new me. :-)

[Debby]

I am reading Mary Whelchel's book right now, Snooze Alarm Syndrome, where she talks about discipline and the battle of the mind. It is so hard not to listen to your feelings as the other commenters have said here, but I think that's the key to my getting on my bike more often. Just do it, right?!

Hope that work eases up soon for you.

[Karen]

Good for you! I have been having the same kind of battle, but so far it's still in my head. I haven't actually done anything about it yet.

[Wanda]

I'm trying to get myself in that headspace about working out regularly and getting back to a healthy way of eating again. Changes need to be made. Good for you for tackling that horse.